SAN FRANCISCO—The New York Giants don’t play like underdogs. They play like champions.

For the second time in four years, they have battled their way to the Super Bowl, where, once again, they will face the New England Patriots. Call the Giants underdogs if you want. But if you are not sold on the Giants after their dramatic 20-17 overtime victory in the NFC championship game, you never will be.

The Giants have taken the hard route to Super Bowl XLVI, winning a classic NFC championship game against the 49ers on Sunday at Candlestick Park. This game had everything, but it could only have one winner. When Lawrence Tynes’ 31-yard game-winning field goal sailed through the uprights, the Giants exploded in celebration, headed to Indianapolis for another date with the Patriots. Ironically, Manning can win his second Super Bowl title in the same city where his brother Peyton has put together a legendary career.

"They’re a great team, they’ve been a great team for years," a glowing Eli Manning said of the Patriots after Sunday’s game. "They have terrific players all over."

The similarities between this Super Bowl run and what the Giants did four years ago are getting eerie. The Giants also won the NFC championship game in overtime four seasons ago. Sunday, Tynes’ game-winning kick in overtime was set up when linebacker Jacquian Williams made a huge play, forcing 49ers punt returner Kyle Williams to fumble. Devin Thomas of the Giants recovered deep in San Francisco territory, and moments later the Giants were conference champions.

The Giants look even better equipped to beat the Patriots this time. That does not mean New England will lose. We’ll find out in two weeks. But the Patriots had better be prepared for a battle, because the Giants bring plenty to the table.

Start with Manning, who is a far better quarterback than he was four years ago. Anyone who does not believe Manning is an elite quarterback is not paying attention. The 49ers came after Manning with everything they had Sunday. They sacked him. They punished him after throws. But Manning kept standing in the pocket, buying extra time, making tough throws, even when he knew he was about to be crushed.

Manning gives the Giants a chance to beat anyone, anywhere, and his ability to deliver in the clutch gives the Giants unbridled confidence. Coach Tom Coughlin says that some of things Manning is doing simply cannot be coached.

"The play that Eli made on the touchdown that gave us the lead was just an incredible football play," Coughlin said. "They had a tremendous pass rush. Our screens didn’t seem to be working. Eli just hung in there, and hung in there, and hung in there. He made plays when we need for him to make them, displayed the kind of leadership that he’s shown all year long."

Now look at the Giants’ defense. They can get after the quarterback. Tom Brady had fits with the Giants’ pass rush four years ago in the Super Bowl, and it could happen again. Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora will spend the next two weeks thinking about getting to Brady. And the Patriots will spend the next two weeks trying to figure out how to keep that from happening.

"I think I was a no-name at that time," Tuck said of his last Super Bowl appearance. "They didn’t know anything about me, they didn’t take account of who I was. It is going to be fun. We love playing the best and that team has been a model of consistency. It is going to be a hell of a game for us. I am just looking forward to being there."

Think about how confident the Giants are now. Four years ago, the Patriots entered the Super Bowl with a perfect 16-0 record. This year, the Patriots are good, but not nearly as dominant.

The Giants have already beaten the Patriots this season—24-20 on Nov. 6 at Gillette Stadium. For the last five weeks, the Giants have taken the field in must-win situations, and they have won five straight. That tells you something about what they are made of.

Some of the Giants’ young players don’t need much help, particularly wide receiver Victor Cruz, who had another huge game (10 catches, 142 yards). The Patriots’ secondary could have serious issues trying to defend Cruz, Hakeem Nicks (five catches, 55 yards) and Mario Manningham (17-yard touchdown catch). Manning has plenty of weapons to work with and he uses them all.

The playoffs have been a joy ride for the Giants and they need one more victory to complete another remarkable playoff run. Nobody has to tell the Patriots how dangerous the Giants are. The Patriots have a chance for revenge. But getting it won’t be easy.